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Corus workers await news of jobs Corus workers await news of jobs
(10 minutes later)
Steelworkers are waiting for news of possible redundancies at Corus which employs more than 6,000 in Wales. Steelworkers are waiting for news of possible redundancies at Corus which employs just under 8,000 in Wales.
The steel giant is understood to be planning to cut about 3,500 staff from its worldwide workforce of 42,000.The steel giant is understood to be planning to cut about 3,500 staff from its worldwide workforce of 42,000.
In Wales, the Anglo-Dutch firm has sites in Port Talbot, Llanwern, Llanelli, Shotton and Blaenau Gwent. The Anglo-Dutch firm has sites in Port Talbot, Llanwern, Shotton, Blaenau Gwent, Carmarthenshire and Caerphilly.
Unions say talks have been held with Corus and cuts across the firm's European operations are expected. Corus has declined to comment.Unions say talks have been held with Corus and cuts across the firm's European operations are expected. Corus has declined to comment.
Like most other companies operating in the heavy industries sector, Corus has been hit hard by the economic downturn.Like most other companies operating in the heavy industries sector, Corus has been hit hard by the economic downturn.
The firm, which was taken over by the Indian company Tata in 2007, employs about 4,000 at one of its biggest plants in Port Talbot, south Wales. The firm, which was taken over by the Indian company Tata in 2007, employs about 3,500 in Port Talbot, south Wales - one of its biggest plants.
CORUS IN WALES Steelworks at Port TalbotStrip mills at Llanwern, NewportTinplate works at Trostre, LlanelliCoating works at Tafarnaubach, Blaenau Gwent and Shotton, FlintshireElectrical steel works at Newport CORUS IN WALES AND STAFF NUMBERS Steelworks at Port Talbot, about 3,500Strip mills at Llanwern, Newport, about 1,400Tinplate works at Trostre, Llanelli, about 800Coating works at Tafarnaubach, Blaenau Gwent, about 50 and Shotton, Flintshire, about 1,000Profiles plant at Caerphilly, about 100Plant at Llandybie, about 100
It also employs about 1,200 at a processing plant at Llanwern near Newport where earlier in January 500 workers were told they would have temporary wage cuts due to a lack of work It also employs about 1,400 at a processing plant at Llanwern near Newport where earlier in January 500 workers were told they would have temporary wage cuts due to a lack of work.
A temporary shutdown at one of the blast furnaces at Port Talbot was also extended until at least April.A temporary shutdown at one of the blast furnaces at Port Talbot was also extended until at least April.
Eight hundred more jobs are at the Shotton works in Flintshire. About 1,000 more jobs are at the Shotton works in Flintshire and about another 800 at the Trostre tinplate works in Llanelli where 290 threatened redundancies have been put permanently on hold.
Union leaders have confirmed they have been in talks with the company and are expecting news of job cuts at the end of the week.Union leaders have confirmed they have been in talks with the company and are expecting news of job cuts at the end of the week.
Matt Ball from the union Community said: "We have been in talks with Corus and are expecting details this week, they've not gone into numbers.Matt Ball from the union Community said: "We have been in talks with Corus and are expecting details this week, they've not gone into numbers.
"We've not heard any numbers, we are expecting to here this week. The cuts are across all European operations."We've not heard any numbers, we are expecting to here this week. The cuts are across all European operations.
ReassurancesReassurances
"It's not a surprise, but we want to ensure there are no permanent cuts so that when the upsurge comes steelmakers are able to respond."It's not a surprise, but we want to ensure there are no permanent cuts so that when the upsurge comes steelmakers are able to respond.
"We've had no sit down talks with the government, if anything we would want government money invested in the industry in training and up-skilling the workforce."We've had no sit down talks with the government, if anything we would want government money invested in the industry in training and up-skilling the workforce.
"When Tata took over Corus we were given reassurances they were in it for the long term."When Tata took over Corus we were given reassurances they were in it for the long term.
The unions' met Corus last Tuesday and this was not mentioned Keith Hazlewood, GMB
"We've not seen anything to alter that opinion.""We've not seen anything to alter that opinion."
Keith Hazlewood, GMB National Secretary, said, "GMB will be disappointed if Corus has made any decision affecting the workforce without speaking to GMB and the other unions. We have learned of this intention from today's media if the reports turn out to be true. Keith Hazlewood, GMB National Secretary, said: "GMB will be disappointed if Corus has made any decision affecting the workforce without speaking to GMB and the other unions. We have learned of this intention from today's media if the reports turn out to be true.
"The unions met Corus last Tuesday and this was not mentioned. There are no scheduled meetings with the company in the near future. That could change very soon." "The unions' met Corus last Tuesday and this was not mentioned. There are no scheduled meetings with the company in the near future. That could change very soon."
BBC News has learnt a formal announcement about the job losses could come as soon as Monday morning.BBC News has learnt a formal announcement about the job losses could come as soon as Monday morning.
It's believed no major plant closures are likely to result from the plans.It's believed no major plant closures are likely to result from the plans.
Corus issued a statement saying it could not comment on rumour or speculation, but it is a fact that the company is facing an unprecedented downturn in market demand that has caused its order book to drop by more than a third.Corus issued a statement saying it could not comment on rumour or speculation, but it is a fact that the company is facing an unprecedented downturn in market demand that has caused its order book to drop by more than a third.
In December, unions representing the 25,000 UK workforce of the steelmaker rejected a proposal for workers to take a 10% pay cut.In December, unions representing the 25,000 UK workforce of the steelmaker rejected a proposal for workers to take a 10% pay cut.
The last major jobs cutback by Corus was in 2003 when up to 3,000 jobs were cut across the UK, with many going in Wales.The last major jobs cutback by Corus was in 2003 when up to 3,000 jobs were cut across the UK, with many going in Wales.